A good article for those that are grieving…. plan for the days that are going to be hard/difficult; anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, other special occasions…not to mention the dreaded anniversary of the loss itself.
“A lot of life is about anticipating, and planning to be sad means having a plan for the day. It’s not about dread, it’s about taking some control. And control is something most people who are coping with loss feel they have lost.” Great advice-know the day will be hard, know the day will be sad-allow the sadness….surround yourself with what comforts and nourishes you.
Take the day off from work, plan some time to be by yourself. Develop some rituals for the ‘sad’ day. Go to a place that used to be special to both of you, write a letter, look through photo albums, talk to people who used to know the person and share memories with one another…
NorthernMSW: Advocacy, Education/Guidance on Grief 